RNA Interference (RNAi)

The 2006 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Andrew Z. Fire and Craig C. Mello for their discovery of RNA interference (RNAi). RNAi is a biological process in which RNA molecules can silence (inhibit) or up- or down-regulate gene expression, typically by causing the destruction of specific messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules. This collection of articles begins with an introduction to RNAi, and proceeds to describe uses of this technology in various approaches to disease treatment, including gene therapy. Several laboratory protocols for silencing genes via RNAi are also provided, as are protocols for down-regulating and then rescuing those down-regulated genes, which demonstrates specificity of the approach.

This e-book — a curated collection from eLS, WIREs, and Current Protocols — offers a fantastic introduction to the field of RNA interference for students or interdisciplinary collaborators.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Overview of Gene Silencing by RNA Interference
Current Protocols in Nucleic Acid Chemistry
Daniel H. Kim, John J. Rossi

Biogenesis and function of endogenous and exogenous siRNAs
WIREs RNA
Nicholas M. Snead, John J. Rossi

Techniques & Applications

Small Silencing RNAs and Gene Therapy
eLS
Dirk Grimm

RNAi Screening: New Approaches, Understandings, and Organisms
WIREs RNA
Stephanie E. Mohr, Norbert Perrimon

Delivery of RNAi mediators
WIREs RNA
Lance P. Ford, Masoud M. Toloue

Protocols

Silencing of Gene Expression in Cultured Cells Using Small Interfering RNAs
Current Protocols in Cell Biology
Kumi Sakurai, Pritsana Chomchan, John J. Rossi

Gene Down-Regulation with Short Hairpin RNAs and Validation of Specificity by Inducible Rescue in Mammalian Cells
Current Protocols in Cell Biology
Hoi Tang Ma, Randy Y.C. Poon